Camera having transmission wheel axis coincident with flash unit turning axis

Abstract

A camera has either a built-in flash unit or a removably attachable flash unit which is turnable between a retracted position and a projected position and which is provided with an illumination-angle varying mechanism. The camera includes a motor, disposed in a body of the camera, for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism, and a transmission system, which transmits an output rotation of the motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism. The transmission system includes a rotating wheel which has a central axis coincident with a turning axis of the flash unit. The flash unit may include a structure divided into at least three areas: a middle area, a first side area, and a second side area. A flash generating device is disposed in the middle area; a red-eye prevention lamp is disposed in the first side area; and a drive transmission system for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism is provided in the second side area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera including a flash unit, the flash unit being turnable between a retracted position and a projected position and provided with an illumination-angle varying mechanism, said camera comprising: (a) a motor, disposed in a camera body of said camera, for driving the illumination-angle varying mechanism;   (b) a transmission system for transmitting an output rotation of said motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism, said transmission system including a first rotating wheel having a central axis coincident with a turning axis of the flash unit and a second rotating wheel having a coaxial and fixed relationship with respect to said first rotating wheel, for transferring a rotational force from said first rotating wheel to the illumination-angle varying mechanism; and   (c) a clutch mechanism for switching a direction of transmission of the output rotation of said motor in accordance with a direction of rotation of said motor, said clutch mechanism transmitting the output rotation of said motor to said transmission system during a rotation of said motor in a first direction, and transmitting the output rotation of said motor to a camera-operating mechanism during a rotation of said motor in a second direction.   
     
     
       2. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the flash unit is disposed substantially at a middle position of a top cover of said camera body. 
     
     
       3. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism varies a flash illumination angle by moving a flash element relative to a condenser lens. 
     
     
       4. A camera according to claim 3, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism includes a cam mechanism for moving the flash element, said cam mechanism being disposed on the same side as said rotating wheel. 
     
     
       5. A camera according to claim 4, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism is capable of each of increasing and decreasing the flash illumination angle by rotating said rotating wheel in one direction. 
     
     
       6. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the illumination-angle varying mechanism is capable of each of increasing and decreasing the flash illumination angle by rotating said rotating wheel in one direction. 
     
     
       7. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said camera-operating mechanism comprises a mirror swinging mechanism. 
     
     
       8. A camera according to claim 1, wherein said transmission system transmits the output rotation of said motor to the illumination-angle varying mechanism through a gear train.